Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 339-023
Date: Friday, May 19, 1972 at 1:58 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.; Haig, Alexander M., Jr.
Recording device: Old Executive Office Building
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/339-023

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[3:06:02] Chief, we need some tape.
[3:06:05] Yes, sir.
[3:07:12] I haven't kissed you in a day.
[3:07:13] I am thoroughly disgusted with the way... ...you look at me.
[3:07:40] I have thoroughly discussed the consistent failure to carry on orders that I have given.
[3:07:43] Over the past three and a half years, particularly, the vast critical increase
[3:08:03] He didn't use me, of course, to blame the bureaucracy for hurting him, but we always have a problem with bureaucracy.
[3:08:16] responsibility to rise under the department's guard to see that when I give an order, it is carried out faithfully for that reason, or that I am told as quickly as it is found that it is not being carried out, that that is the case, why it has not been carried out.
[3:08:28] I refer specifically to the fact that I have ordered on occasion after the occasion,
[3:08:47] all that we have gotten from has gone into the runaround and sometimes delivered
[3:09:12] I want it clearly understood that from now on, the moment that I have him, and that I even offer him, that I find another instance where there is such showing in support of the nation.
[3:09:18] The man who will be held responsible in the present nation will be requested not to be the one to help him.
[3:09:47] The performance of the psychological warfare field is nothing short of disgraceful.
[3:09:49] The mountain has labored for seven weeks by introducing critters, not much more than a mile.
[3:10:14] I may have some program now underway, but it totally lacks imagination.
[3:10:38] And I have no confidence whatever bureaucracy will carry it out, period.
[3:10:48] I do not simply blame Helms and the CIA, period.
[3:10:50] After all, they do not support my policies, because they basically are all Georgetown-oriented, part of the most part, fighting the George, Georgetown Society-oriented.
[3:10:56] On the other hand, the Pentagon deserves an even greater share of the blame, period.
[3:11:17] After all, they are supposed to take orders from the commander-in-chief.
[3:11:19] The trouble is that we left too many of the McNamara people around in a lot of places, and they are constantly sabotaging everything we're trying to do.
[3:11:25] Finally, I told Henry today that I wanted more B-52s sent to Vietnam.
[3:11:47] I want this order carried out regardless of how many heads have been rolled and carried out.
[3:11:50] Even though the bomb load is smaller, until they are, until they can be remodeled, the psychological effect of having 100 more D-52s on the line will be enormous.
[3:11:56] I eagerly expect this order to be carried out.
[3:12:14] Or I want to see the head of the man.
[3:12:16] Or I want the head of the man.
[3:12:33] insult to all this injury is to have the military whine around to Aiken that they were not getting enough support from the commander-in-chief and giving him tirelessly the hit in North Vietnam.
[3:12:39] I want you to convey directly to the Air Force that I am thoroughly discussing with their performance in North Vietnam.
[3:12:44] Their refusal to fly unless the suit is four thousand feet or more is
[3:13:10] I do not blame the fine Air Force pilots who do a fantastic job in so many other areas.
[3:13:12] I do blame the commanders.
[3:13:38] playing, quote, how not to lose, end quote.
[3:13:40] So long, now can't bring themselves to start playing, quote, how to win, end quote.
[3:13:43] Under the circumstances, I decided to take it.
[3:14:07] The order will be given directly from a naval commander whom I will select.